Johnsongrass (also called grass sorghum, egyptian millet) is a perennial species over most
of its range. Leaves
are
grasslike,
up to 1"
wide,
with a prominent whitish midvein. The ligule is short and membranous with a hairy fringe; auricles
are lacking. Stems can grow up to 8' in height, but our annual specimens will be closer
to 3' — 4' tall. Large, open panicles are up to 1' long and emerge in midsummer. Spikelets
are reddish in color and most are tipped by bent awns. Scaly, finger-thick rhizomes are produced
from the crown.
